Everyday pain management ideas

Fibromyalgia was not recognized as a clinical disorder until sometime in the 1990s, but it has probably existed for a lot longer than that.  People of almost any age can be affected by fibromyalgia, but many people are first diagnosed in their twenties. According to the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association, 75-90% of persons affected by fibromyalgia are women . For these reasons, it's important to share a few thoughts about the management of fibromyalgia in women during the childbearing years. There are medications for fibromyalgia, but at the present time, these drugs are not recommended for use during pregnancy.  Therefore, alternative methods of fibromyalgia management are very important. These methods include exercise, yoga, meditation,  massage and rest.  Exercise is key, because it keeps you fit and improves mood due to an increase in serotonin levels. Serotonin seems to be a key player in helping one to manage stress, in calming anxiety, and improvin

Pregnancy is such an exciting time in a woman's life (usually)...but it does not come without its pains or discomforts!  Additionally, some women have pre-existing conditions that they must endure in addition to being pregnant. Sadly, many chronic pain conditions are among the possibilities. In terms of medications, there are guidelines that physicians follow with respect to pain management in pregnancy.  Tylenol (acetaminophen) is generally regarded as a safe and effective treatment for most pregnant women, but it has been reported that babies born to women who used it had an increased risk of developing hyperactivity issues.  The FDA has established a system for categorizing drugs as to risk in pregnancy.  There are some medical reference books available to pharmacists and other health care workers to help pregnant and nursing mothers to assess risks of specific drugs to both developing and nursing babies. For the most part, great caution is advised when using med

 Have you ever tried to walk with a stone in your shoe? This sensation is similar to the discomfort one experiences when they have a neuroma --a benign tumor made up of nerve tissue that causes pain between the toes. Often times a person with neuroma will stop in the middle of an activity, such as walking, remove their shoe and rub the painful area to obtain relief. No one really knows what causes neuroma, but it's been attributed to bio mechanical deformities, high arches, flat feet, improper footwear, and/or repeated stress or injury to the foot. Symptoms of neuroma include pain in the front of the foot, or between the toes, pain in the ball of the foot when body bearing weight, numbness, tingling, or perhaps swelling.  You can try to help yourself if you experience these problems by wearing shoes that are well fitted. Avoid high heels; rest and massage your feet in the painful area. Ice packs can be helpful. Typically neuromas are treated by a podiatrist. He/she c

Here is another common foot problem--bunions. A bunion is essentially a bony bump that begins to form at the base of the big toe.  The exact cause has yet to be determined, but it's thought that genetics may play a role in their formation.  Some experts say that wearing high heels--which forces the front of the foot into the small toe box of the shoe--is another potential cause. Foot injuries or deformities, and some forms of arthritis may also precede bunion formation. The image above is a good illustration of bunion formation, and how they can become a severe deformity if left unaddressed. Here are some tips that may help to prevent this problem from the get-go: Avoid wearing high heels Steer away from ill-fitting shoes, especially if the toe box is too tight Heredity and/or rheumatoid arthritis may predispose one to bunions; if that's the case, be extra vigilant about the first two tips given here! Other complications aside from those pictured above include bu

Nothing feels good when your feet hurt.  I haven't talked much about foot pain in this blog, so I thought this week I would discuss some common causes of foot pain and the remedies that usually work for them. One of the most common causes of foot pain is plantar fascitis.  The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot; it connects the bones of the toes to the heel bone. It's not uncommon for someone with plantar fascitis to have a stabbing pain in the bottom of the foot, near the heel. This pain can be at its worst one takes their first steps out of bed in the morning. What a way to start the day, right? As with any condition, certain situations or activities put a person at increased risk for plantar fascitis. These risk factors include obesity, spending long periods of time standing up on our feet, some forms of exercise and dance, and issues regarding foot mechanics, such as a high arch or being flat-footed. It's

Smoking has been on the decline for decades. However, there are still a good number of smokers out there--despite all the health warnings!  I suppose the biggest fear in this group is the fear that they might develop lung cancer.  And that certainly is a possibility. What they might not consider is that smoking cessation has many other benefits. For one thing, the risk of heart attack, stroke and other vascular diseases is reduced greatly when one decides to kick the habit. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is another health issue that can improve or be completely prevented if a smoker decides to quit. Women of childbearing age who smoke can experience infertility issues-; this is less of an issue if a woman does not smoke.  If a woman is pregnant, the baby is less likely to experience health issues if the mother is not a smoker. Expectant mothers who stop smoking during the pregnancy are less likely to have a baby with low birthweight. Last, but not least--

In the US, more than 46 million people suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Even though the incidence of RA has been on the decline over the last several decades, it's painful and debilitating to those who suffer from it. The modern mainstay of arthritis treatment is the use of a class of drugs known as DMARDs (disease-modifying anti rheumatic drugs).  This class of drugs has done much for affected patients in terms of improving quality of life and slowing progression of disease. That being said, complementary treatments are still an important part of therapy for those affected by this condition. What are these "complementary treatments" you ask?  Here are some examples: Anti-Inflammatory diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, are helpful in controlling inflammation. Some of the important elements of these diets include fish, vegetables, and olive oil. Heat and cold therapies are effective for acute pain. For joint stiffness, heat seems to have best effect,